Skinny and Tender Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Heat up the crock pot because I’m sharing my favorite recipe for fabulous, pulled pork sandwiches. It’s such an easy recipe to make and perfect for entertaining. I’m starting with tender shredded lean pork that’s been slow-cooked for hours in a sweet and tangy sauce. The secret is using a great tasting barbecue sauce such as my favorite, Sweet Baby Rays. Next, piling the pork onto a whole wheat bun, topped mile high with homemade crunchy slaw. The skinny for 1 sandwich, including the slaw is 447 calories and 10 grams of fat. Use a sandwich thin instead of a wheat bun and each sandwich has 347 calories and 9 grams fat.. You can even cook the pork a few days in advance. Make sure to grab a bunch of napkins. You’re gonna need them!
Why You'll Love My Skinny and Tender Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Craving a juicy and flavorful pulled pork sandwich without the guilt? My Skinny and Tender Pulled Pork Sandwiches offer the perfect solution. With a focus on lean protein and bold flavors, these sandwiches are a delicious and healthy option for any meal. Enjoy the tender, shredded pork on your favorite bun, topped with your choice of toppings like coleslaw, pickles, or BBQ sauce. This dish is sure to satisfy your cravings while supporting your health goals.Ingredients for Skinny and Tender Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Pork tenderloin: A lean and tender cut of meat that is lower in fat and calories compared to traditional pulled pork, making it a healthier choice.
- Onions: Add sweetness, depth, and a savory flavor to the pulled pork, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Barbecue sauce: The signature flavor component that gives the pulled pork its characteristic smoky and tangy taste. Experiment with different brands or create your own homemade barbecue sauce to customize the flavor.
- Skinny Crunchy Slaw: A healthy and refreshing side dish that complements the rich flavors of the pulled pork. Made with low-calorie ingredients and offering a refreshing crunch, it adds a balance of textures and flavors to the sandwich.
- Whole wheat or multi-grain hamburger buns: A healthier alternative to traditional white bread, providing fiber, whole grains, and a heartier texture. These buns add a satisfying base for the pulled pork and slaw, making for a more substantial and fulfilling sandwich.
How to Make Skinny and Tender Pulled Pork Sandwiches
A Hearty and Healthy Pulled Pork SandwichThis recipe offers a delicious and satisfying pulled pork sandwich that's perfect for those who are mindful of their health. It features lean pork tenderloin, flavorful barbecue sauce, and a side of Skinny Crunchy Slaw, making it a guilt-free indulgence.Ingredients:- Pork tenderloin
- Onions
- Barbecue sauce
- Skinny Crunchy Slaw
- Whole wheat or multi-grain buns
- Prepare the pork: Cut the pork tenderloin into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking in the slow cooker.
- Layer the ingredients: Place sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker, add the pork, and cover with the remaining onion slices. Pour half of the barbecue sauce over the pork.
- Cook on low: Cover and cook on low heat for 3.5-4 hours, or until the pork is tender enough to shred easily with a fork.
- Shred the pork: Remove the cooked pork to a cutting board and shred it using a fork. Discard the leftover sauce from the slow cooker.
- Combine with barbecue sauce: In a large bowl, combine the shredded pork with the remaining barbecue sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Heat the buns or sandwich thins in the microwave or oven. Place a portion of the shredded pork on the bottom bun, top with slaw, and add the other half of the bun.
- For a spicier pulled pork: Use a hotter barbecue sauce or add a dash of hot sauce.
- Customize your toppings: Serve with your favorite toppings, such as pickles, cheese, or avocado.
- Reheating leftovers: Leftover pulled pork can be stored in the refrigerator for several days and reheated for a quick and easy meal.
- This recipe is designed to be a healthier alternative to traditional pulled pork sandwiches, using lean protein and flavorful ingredients while minimizing calories and fat.
- The Skinny Crunchy Slaw adds a refreshing crunch and a balance of flavors to the sandwich.
- Enjoy this delicious and satisfying pulled pork sandwich as a main course or a hearty appetizer.
Helpful Tips About this Recipe
Makes 12 sandwiches (each serving, ½ cup shredded pork and ½ cup coleslaw)
Food Facts
Pulled pork is slow-cooked and shredded by hand. It can be served on a plate or made into a sandwich. Here’s the history of Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce, “It all began back in 1985 when a local Chicago boy named Chef Larry perfected his family’s recipe for a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce and entered it into the country’s largest rib cook-off, the Mike Royko Rib-off. Chef Larry called his sauce Sweet Baby Ray’s. On the day of the rib-off, Sweet Baby Ray’s beat nearly 700 entrants to come in second-an amazing feat for an unknown. The rest, as they say, is history.”
*Reducing the Calories and Weight Watchers POINTS Tips
You can cut the calories, fat, and points down by using an Oroweat Sandwich Thin instead of a hamburger bun. My skinny facts are based on using Trader Joe’s Honey Wheat bun at 200 calories, 2.5g fat, 4g fiber and 5 POINTS PLUS. Oroweat Sandwich Thins have 100 calories, 1g fat, 5g fiber and 3 POINTS PLUS. If you use a sandwich thin, the skinny facts are 347 calories, 9 grams fat and 9 Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS.
Healthy Benefits
The tenderloin is the leanest cut of pork. A (4-ounce) serving contains 130 calories and 4 grams of total fat. Most recipes call for pork shoulder or butt. You won’t miss the fat at all with this leaner cut.
Shopping Tips
I bought the pork tenderloin at Trader Jose’s but most large supermarkets sell this cut of pork. If you can’t find it on display, ask the butcher to cut some for you. I think Bubbies kosher dill pickles are the best-tasting pickles sold in jars. You’ll find them in the refrigerated deli section. I bought them at Food 4 Less and Von’s/ Safeway. Bubbies are sold outside California in many natural food stores such as Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Organic Food Depot, and Co-Op stores. Crockpots are sold in stores such as Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Target. They’re not very expensive and very easy to use.
Serving Tips
You might want to serve this yummy sandwich with my recipe for either Skinny Fries or Sweet Potato Fries.
Food Facts
Pulled pork is slow-cooked and shredded by hand. It can be served on a plate or made into a sandwich. Here’s the history of Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce, “It all began back in 1985 when a local Chicago boy named Chef Larry perfected his family’s recipe for a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce and entered it into the country’s largest rib cook-off, the Mike Royko Rib-off. Chef Larry called his sauce Sweet Baby Ray’s. On the day of the rib-off, Sweet Baby Ray’s beat nearly 700 entrants to come in second-an amazing feat for an unknown. The rest, as they say, is history.”
*Reducing the Calories and Weight Watchers POINTS Tips
You can cut the calories, fat, and points down by using an Oroweat Sandwich Thin instead of a hamburger bun. My skinny facts are based on using Trader Joe’s Honey Wheat bun at 200 calories, 2.5g fat, 4g fiber and 5 POINTS PLUS. Oroweat Sandwich Thins have 100 calories, 1g fat, 5g fiber and 3 POINTS PLUS. If you use a sandwich thin, the skinny facts are 347 calories, 9 grams fat and 9 Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS.
Healthy Benefits
The tenderloin is the leanest cut of pork. A (4-ounce) serving contains 130 calories and 4 grams of total fat. Most recipes call for pork shoulder or butt. You won’t miss the fat at all with this leaner cut.
Shopping Tips
I bought the pork tenderloin at Trader Jose’s but most large supermarkets sell this cut of pork. If you can’t find it on display, ask the butcher to cut some for you. I think Bubbies kosher dill pickles are the best-tasting pickles sold in jars. You’ll find them in the refrigerated deli section. I bought them at Food 4 Less and Von’s/ Safeway. Bubbies are sold outside California in many natural food stores such as Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Organic Food Depot, and Co-Op stores. Crockpots are sold in stores such as Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Target. They’re not very expensive and very easy to use.
Serving Tips
You might want to serve this yummy sandwich with my recipe for either Skinny Fries or Sweet Potato Fries.
| SKINNY FACTS: for 1 sandwich (each ½ cup shredded pork, ½ cup coleslaw and bun) 447 calories, 10g fat, 44g protein, 49g carbs, 6g fiber, 864mg sodium, 15g sugar |
Skinny and Tender Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork tenderloin
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 1 (18 oz) bottle Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce or your favorite
- 1 recipe for Simply, Skinny Crunchy Slaw
- 12 whole wheat or multi-grain hamburger buns or Oroweat Sandwich Thins (I used Trader Joe’s Honey Wheat buns) see Reducing the Calories and Weight Watchers POINTS Tip below
Instructions
- Cut each piece of pork tenderloin in half, to easily fit in the crockpot.
- Place slices from 1 onion on bottom of crockpot. Add pork. Cover pork with remaining onion slices.
- Pour ½ of the bottled barbecue sauce over top. Cover and cook on high setting for 30 minutes. Turn temperature down to low and cook for about 3½ -4 hours, until it’s easy to shred with a fork.
- Remove tender-cooked pork to a cutting board or large plate and shred with a fork. Discard sauce from crockpot. In a large bowl, add shredded pork and remaining barbecue sauce. Toss to coat well. Just before serving, heat shredded pork in microwave before serving.
- To assemble sandwiches: Heat the buns or sandwich thins slightly in the microwave or oven. Mound ½ cup of pork on bottom of the bun or sandwich thin. Top each with ½ coleslaw and another half of bun or sandwich thin. Leftover pork freezes great.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sandwichCalories: 447kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 44gFat: 10gSodium: 864mgFiber: 6gSugar: 15gPlus Points: 11
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!